Valerie Soe

Valerie Soe serves as Professor in the Asian American Studies Department at San Francisco State University, where she teaches courses including Asian American Film History, Media Production, and Photographic Explorations. Her internationally exhibited experimental videos and documentaries—such as the 2019 feature LOVE BOAT: TAIWAN—have screened at MoMA, the Getty Museum, and global film festivals since her 1987 award-winning undergraduate work ALL ORIENTALS LOOK THE SAME.

Her academic foundation includes:

• M.F.A. in Video and Photography from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago
• B.A. in Art from the University of California at Los Angeles

Professor Soe's research critically examines Asian American film, media representations, and art activism through transnational frameworks. Her work challenges stereotypical portrayals while exploring emotional dimensions of diasporic identity, particularly in East Asian popular culture and documentary practices. The blog beyondasiaphilia.com (recipient of a 2012 Art Writers' Grant) extends this analysis to contemporary art and activism.

Analysis of her 15 most recent publications reveals concentrated scholarship on K-pop fandom, Hong Kong cinema evolution, and emotional transnationalism in film distribution—especially regarding Chinese-language cinema in diaspora. These works consistently interrogate power dynamics in global media flows while centering Asian American perspectives.

Her extensive honors include:

• Best Film with an Immigration Theme Award for The Chinese Gardens (Humboldt Film Festival, 2013)
• Art Writers Grant from Warhol Foundation/Creative Capital (2011)
• MediaMaker Grant from Bay Area Video Coalition (2010)
• Best Bay Area Short at San Francisco International Film Festival (1993)

Professor Soe has secured over 30 competitive grants from entities including the Rockefeller Foundation, Fleishhacker Foundation, and San Francisco Arts Commission. Her community engagement spans advisory roles for the 3rd I South Asian Film Festival and past board positions with Film Arts Foundation (1989-2000) and Association of Independent Film and Videomakers (1998-2002).

As former University of Washington Public Art Commissioner (1993-2005), she bridges academic scholarship with public art practice, currently serving on SFSU's AAS RTP Committee and University Interdisciplinary Council.